What do you do to keep stubborn control panel overlays down?

fizgig

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What do you do to keep stubborn control panel overlays down?

90% of the time I can apply cpos with no problem whether they be NOS, or repro, silk screen or solvent inkjet and from all vendors, TOG, Arcade Overlays, Quarter Arcade, Arcade Shop, Phoenix Arcade, Mikes Arcade, game on grafix, etc. My method for applying is the same, powdercoat metal with smooth gloss surface, line up art, tape and clamp down for a week or so, heat metal with heat gun, peel backing and apply with padded squeegee from the middle going out.

I've had better luck with 3M367 adhesively backed cpos than I have with 3M368. No idea why, it just seems stronger.

I've tried additional 3M tape and spray glue but still I have a few that WILL NOT STICK.

Anyone have an inside tip to help me out? Maybe some miraculous product that has eluded me?

Is it the Powdercoating surface?
 
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I have always had good luck with painted surfaces unless the surface is wood. As far as adhesive I have had at least one piece of art from every company you mentioned and they all seemed good,especially Arcadeoverlays. Some were so sticky that if you try to pull it back up it will pull the surface with it.
 
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Yeah, it's that slick powdercoated, super smooth, metal surface.Almost feels "slimey" to the bare hands. I have had similar experiences with Midway CP's. Just prime it and you're ready to apply the cpo.
 
yeah I always use paint or primer. Unless I take an untreated cp and sand the shit out of it down to a shiny silver, then I just apply straight to that. I've only done 15 or 20 panels though.
 
it's definitely the power coated metal for the panel I had the same issue, now I just strip to the bare metal and paint and they've all been sticking
 
Thanks for all the great info!

Its weird to me that smooth is bad, I was thinking decals would like smooth better, like windows.

Question, for the CPs I've already coated, can I just paint or prime over that?
 
wipe down with alchol. a little scotchbrite scrubbing, another alchol cleaning, then some of this http://www.crateenginedepot.com/Adhesion-Promoter-12378462-P19055.aspx

and no problem!!

That stuff is how us mechanics/body guys get all the F****NG plastic body panels to stick on your vehicle after repairs or after they fall off. ALof of that stuff goes in with double sided foam tape, and to be honest, it barly sticks properly if you dint give it a little extra help
 
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So if my cp is already powder coated...I can spray some rusoleum clean metal primer on and the cpo should stick to that? Only ask because I have a can of that on hand.... I had this problem with my tron cpo...I don't want it to happen to my edot cpo since it has multiple angles...
 
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